How to decide whether you should change to 0W-20 synthetic engine oil?

With more and more manufacturers specifying 0W-20 engine oil on new vehicles you’re also probably wondering whether you really need to change to 0W-20 synthetic engine oil.

After all why should you change to 0W-20 synthetic engine oil when your 2000 model year vehicle still uses a 5W-30 oil, while the exact same engine in your 2001?

Why it’s better to change to 0W-20 synthetic engine oil.

The main reason 5W-20 or 0W-20 oil is specified for modern engines is so that OEM’s can meet ever tightening emissions regulations. Both CAFÉ in North America and Euro 6 in Europe are forcing manufacturers to reduce fuel consumption in order to cut down on emissions. One way of achieving this is to change to 0W-20 synthetic engine oil.

In order for a vehicle manufacturer to continue selling profitable large trucks and SUV's, which typically have poor fuel consumption ratings, when compared to smaller cars, and still meet mandated government legislation, they must also sell enough of the smaller cars which have much better fuel economy ratings, to offset the poor fuel economy ratings of the larger vehicles. By making the change to 0W-20 synthetic engine oil the manufacturer has the opportunity to slightly reduce consumption and emissions.

This change to 0W-20 synthetic engine oil, which has a lighter viscosity than a 5W-30 oil and therefore has less internal engine frictional losses, or less drag on the crankshaft, pistons and valvetrain, reduces fuel consumption and therefore emissions.

The improvement in fuel economy is virtually undetectable to the average motorist without the use of specialized engine monitoring and testing equipment under strictly controlled test track driving when compared to older 5W-20, 10W-30 or 0W-30 viscosity motor oils.

Other advantages when you change to 0W-20 synthetic engine oil.

When you change to 0W-20 synthetic engine oil you also have the benefit of synthetic oil’s superior performance over regular motor oil. These include:

• Better cold start scuff properties; because the oil is thinner it reaches the cylinder head components quicker, when cold 
• Better thermal stability across a wider operating temperature rang 
• Superior anti-oxidation properties at elevated operating temperatures 

These properties mean that when you change to 0W-20 synthetic engine oil you can extend oil change intervals, thereby saving money and vehicle off-road time.

Make sure you use a high quality full synthetic when you change to 0W-20 synthetic engine oil.

For better performance and protection we recommend using a 100% 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil for gasoline powered light trucks and passenger cars.Synthetic oils  cost a little more but offer unsurpassed fuel efficiency and better wear protection than other conventional and synthetic motor oils. With a quality full synthetic engine oil you can expect 50,000 Km/1-year oil change intervals.

There are several high quality synthetic oil suppliers such as Habot Synthetic Lubricants that supply excellent full synthetic engine oils.

We recommend that when you change to 0W-20 synthetic engine oil you take professional advice and use a high quality full synthetic engine oil..